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GRE vs CAT: How to prepare for both together?

Are you an aspiring graduate? Do you wish to lead an organization someday? If your answer is yes, then deciding to study for a postgraduate degree is a big step for you. GRE and CAT are tests conducted to assess aspiring students’ potential applying to leading B-schools and universities.

CAT or the Common Admission Test is a computer-based entrance exam conducted every year for admission into MBA programs at prestigious B-schools within India, including IIMs and several others.

The GRE or Graduate Record Examinations is one of the world’s most extensive assessment tests used by several international universities/colleges for admission in their graduate programs. GRE scores are accepted all around the world for thousands of graduate programs.

Getting an advanced degree opens up many opportunities, but having a game plan to approach the tests is the first essential step. Students who are eyeing prestigious universities and B-schools both within India and abroad have to go through both the GRE and CAT exams. Both the tests challenge your aptitude and spontaneity, so let’s look at how we can conquer both the targets with one shot.

GRE vs CAT – Which one is tougher? Which One you should Target?

Have you taken the GRE before?

Challenges of Preparing for Both GRE and CAT Simultaneously

It takes real dedication and focus to prepare for both the tests at the same time. You’ll have to learn to handle the intensity of knowledge required to grasp each topic in both formats.

CAT is a computer-based linear exam. In comparison, GRE is a computerized section-wise adaptive exam where the next level of questions’ complexity depends on the previous section’s performance.

Verbal Reasoning in GRE and CAT

When it comes to verbal reasoning, GRE is way more challenging when compared to CAT. GRE challenges you with multiple-choice type questions and word-selection as part of a vocabulary test. CAT also covers these types of questions and has additional questions based on word usage, paragraph formation, etc.

The GRE reasoning section tests your vocabulary and high-level reading skills. You’ll be asked to choose the appropriate word for a particular sentence, read the comprehension, and interpret the passages’ details.

You can approach the reasoning questions by visualizing and drawing tables to fit in conditions, which will help you solve them. Use the process of elimination to narrow down to the appropriate answer.

Quant in GRE and CAT

Both the exams cover the quant section from arithmetic, geometry, trigonometry, and algebra. However, the extent of intensity may vary. The Quant section of CAT is way more difficult when compared to GRE. The question format is also different. While CAT puts up multiple-choice questions and requires one correct answer, GRE may often require multiple solutions or even require students to type-in the right answer.

Prepare for quantitative aptitude by:

Building strong basics: Learn to read. Continue working with a problem till you understand it. Resist the temptation to jump to the next step and dig deep into the actual concept.

Identifying strength and planning out preparation: Follow the sequence in Math practice as every topic builds upon the previous topic. If you follow a systematic approach, you’ll be able to cover every topic with proficiency. Figure out the topics you’re good at and concentrate more on the weak areas. Such a practice will help you prepare well.

Getting the formulas right using shortcuts: Don’t learn a formula without understanding the meaning behind it. Your brain will quickly learn if you’re able to formulate links between the formula and its theory. Approach each topic from a different angle using lateral thinking—additionally, master the quantitative aptitude shortcuts to speed up the process.

Analytical Writing Assessment

Prepare for two writing tasks for the GRE Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). The section would require you to build and support new ideas, attach relevant reasoning, provide evidence, and prepare a well-focused assessment. It will help if you learn to think critically and be able to convey your thoughts. There is no such test in CAT.

To practice Analytical Writing Assessment, spend the first five minutes outlining your argument. Once you have got a solid outline, start writing the essay. Make sure you don’t spend more than 25 minutes on an essay.

Don’t Get Intimidated

Improve your word knowledge, learn contextual meanings, and grasp new vocabulary extensively for GRE. Focus on improving your quant skills in-depth for CAT. You’ll be able to handle Analytical Writing Assessment or AWA in GRE quite easily if you master the verbal section.

Many sections of both the syllabuses overlap with each other. If you make a few adjustments in your GRE preparation to learn CAT’s variations, it’s possible to crack both the exams simultaneously.

At Jamboree, we help you through every step of the way, right from GRE prep with our unique programs to admissions counselling that provides professional support in university selection and profile development.

Top colleges for pursuing Masters in international business in UK

November 18, 2020 / Likitha Namireddy / 0 Comments

What happens to global business in the face of a worldwide pandemic? How are foreign markets behaving now? How to improve international sales and operations? These are real-world business challenges, and the solutions to these questions are in a truly specialized management degree; International Business.

A masters in international business allows you to solve relevant problems in all branches of management, and students who take up this degree move on to build careers in multi-national corporations as international marketers, business strategists, financial experts and managers of the highest level. And, if you are one of those people who aim to apply your business education to an international context, then this is the program for you.

While the international business degree is fast gaining popularity all across the globe, UK has caught our eye. And rightly so, because a Masters in International Business in UK is worth more than just the degree. This island nation is one of the leading forces when it comes to foreign trade in all of Europe, and it is also known to be a master in the finance enterprise. Other than this, many key industries such as healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and more, operate here on a large scale, so there really is no shortage of quality careers.

Convinced yet? If you’ve made up your mind to pursue this major, read on to find 5 of the top universities in UK for masters in international business.

Global Masters in Management
London Business School

LBS is ranked as the number one business school in UK, and stands at #3 internationally for its masters in management programs. The global MIM here is a one-of-a-kind international business course in UK. As a student, you will study at two premier schools and receive two separate degrees, a MIM from London Business school and an MSc in International Business from Fudan University, Shanghai. Moreover, LBS boasts a 100% placement rate for its MIM graduates.

Cost: £45,000 for 2 years

Duration: 2 Years

Global Master’s in Management
The London School of Economics and Political Science

LSE is another top business school in all of UK and a close competitor to LBS. The Global Masters in Management program is a unique two-year program and this is the only place where you can get the CEMS double degree. LSE has a fantastic network with 32 business schools as partners and over 65 corporate partners, not to mention their massive alumni network. Also, you can choose your electives from a wide catalogue of subjects, and specialize in what interests you.

Cost: £65,000 for 2 years

Duration: 2 Years, full time only

MSc International Business
Warwick Business School (WBS)

WBS is one of the top business schools in UK with a strong global influence. It ranks third on the Palmes league, right after LBS and LSE. Warwick is known widely for its international business program because the curriculum allows students to focus on global practice. Moreover, the CareerPlus Service and alumni network at Warwick introduce you to top internships and job offers while still at school. For the final project, you can choose between submitting a thesis and pursuing a business in practice route, for which you will need to undergo additional training.

Cost: £30,000

Duration: 12 months

Masters in International Business
Hult International Business School, London

Hult is a globally recognized brand with 6 different campuses, New York, Boston, and London included, and it is also one of the very few universities with triple accreditation. The Hult London school for graduate business studies, in their own words, is one that offers a dynamic and global atmosphere, and the international business program here stands 17th in the world according to The Economists ranking of 2019.

Cost: £34,000

Duration: 12 months

Other Programs: Masters in International Marketing

MA/MSc International Business and Management
Westminster Business School

The International Business and Management program at Westminster has a diverse class with almost three-quarters of students coming in from all around the world. The focus is on experiential learning, and as a student, you will get a chance to interact with well-established businesses in the form of visits, field trips, workshops, seminars and case studies. Moreover, there is an additional overseas study trip as part of the course curriculum.

Cost: £17,000

Duration: 12 months, Full time

Other Programs: International Development Management, International Economic Policy and Analysis, International Human Resource Management

Apart from these, some other universities that offer programs in international business management in the UK are:

Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Alliance Manchester Business School (The University of Manchester)
Nottingham Business School (Nottingham Trent University)
Lancaster University Management School (LUMS)
Brunel Business School (Brunel University London)
Northampton Business School (The University of Northampton)
Adam Smith Business School (University of Glasgow)

A traditional MBA while still is and forever will be a golden degree, in the current world, specialists are greatly valued. Take the example of today’s global pandemic situation, with countrywide lockdowns and individual regulations, nearly all MNCs are facing tons of challenges. And now more than ever, international business specialists are required. So, if this is your choice of major, reach out to us for a quick chat with our admission experts, they’ll advise you on the best way to go about fulfilling your dream.

Check out the 10 Most Affordable Universities in UK!

10 ways to manage your money while studying abroad!

November 12, 2020 / Likitha Namireddy / 0 Comments

With countries like the US, UK, Australia and Canada emerging as educational hotspots with fantastic universities, more and more students are looking to pursue their education abroad. And rightly so, not only do you receive a global experience, but the post-study job offers get you some big bucks, with graduate salaries around the $100,000 mark. But all things aside, it’s a well-known fact that studying abroad is a costly endeavour. And if you don’t have a proper plan to take care of your finances, you’ll be pinching pennies to get by.

It’s always better to have extra money than too less, right? Many students end up spending too much and struggling to make ends meet while at university, and often miss out on the whole college experience. So, we’re here with 10 ways to help you manage your money while studying abroad. Let’s get right to it!

Student Pass

One perk of being a college student is the endless list of coupons and discounts you get. From restaurants, transport, cinemas, shops, grocery stores or even local events, just showing your student pass can save you a lot of money. So, try to get hold of your student ID as soon as you set foot in the university.

Monthly Budget

It’s absolutely imperative that you have a monthly budget, and that you stick to it too. If possible, try to save a little bit so you can splurge once in a while. Most students end up overspending when they first arrive at a new country, while it’s true that you’ll need extra funds to settle down at the beginning, try to fix and follow a budget within the first two months.

Living Expenses

Rent usually eats up a major portion of your budget, whether you’re living on campus or off. Each option has its own pros and cons, so see which works for you best. And if you’re choosing to live outside, consider moving in with a roommate to cut costs. Check out our student accommodation value added service for information on available and affordable places off-campus. Some other things to keep track of are your utility and grocery bills.

Food

You’ll probably notice that on adding up all your restaurant and takeout bills, it’ll reach a couple of thousand dollars a month. Food is expensive, especially if you’re eating out for every single meal. And factor in the American tipping culture, you’re better off cooking your own food at home. It’ll cost half as much, and is better for your health as well. Also, if you are eating out, try to cash in some student offers.

Travel

Try to limit taxi rides to when they are really required as they cost a fortune. If you’re living on campus, or near it, consider getting yourself a bicycle instead. Also, make use of the very convenient public transport network, you could sign up for a bus or metro pass if you’re a frequent traveller.

Phone Plan

Do a little bit of research and find a phone or broadband plan that is best for you. There’s a good chance that you will be paying for a bunch of add-ons you don’t need, so try to scrap these. All the months added up can save you some serious cash.

Local Bank Account

Transferring money every now and then from an Indian bank to a foreign one might cause a significant portion of your funds to be eaten up as transaction charges from both ends. One of the first things that you should do is open up a local bank account, preferably one that your college has ties with. Also, keep a close eye on exchange rates to spot the best time to transfer money.

College costs

Do your research well beforehand, to see if you are eligible for any financial aid or scholarships. Also, apart from the initial scholarships, some universities have grants for top students in the form of cash or allowances, aim to do your best at school, so you are considered for such awards. Other than tuition, expenses for books and materials is also significant so try to look for pre-used or online books on Amazon, Chegg, etc. Even better, consider signing up for a library membership.

Insurance

Medical bills are quite expensive in countries like the USA, so if you’re studying there don’t be reluctant to spend enough on health insurance. You never know when you might fall sick, whether it’s as small as a cold or as big as a global pandemic aka, the coronavirus.

Additional Income

As a student, you can take up part-time work, but make sure it doesn’t overshadow your studies. Most colleges offer on-campus jobs so check with the university office to find out any openings. You can also take up freelance projects, or look into investing your savings so you can build an additional source of income.

Studying abroad is expensive, but going about your expenses the right way can make sure you have a fulfilling and comfortable university experience. Contact us to get the best scholarships and grants for your profile today!

What is a low GRE score and how to tackle it?

November 9, 2020 / Likitha Namireddy / 0 Comments

The GRE is the test of choice for thousands of universities abroad, whether you’re looking into STEM programs or even some management ones. This computer-adaptive test assesses your Quantitative and Verbal reasoning to pin your place among thousands of applications. Did you know? Every year about 80,000 students take the GRE from India alone, that’s quite a bit of competition, and you need a decent percentile to get ahead. But, say you’ve taken the test and ended up with not-so-great a score, what then?

The GRE score range is between 130 to 170 in the Verbal and Quant sections, and from 0-6 for the Analytical writing part, however, this section doesn’t add onto your final score. So, to understand what is a good GRE score out of 340, let’s divide it into 4 components based on the percentile.

Less than 25 percentile (260-290)

Percentile refers to how many people scored lower than you. So in the same way, if you score 25 percentile it means that 75% of the test takers scored higher than you. This is considered a relatively low score.

25-50 percentile (290-305)

50 percentile is the mean score, and most of the test takers stay around this mark. A percentile between 25-50 is considered to be on the lower-average side. It is not-too-bad an attempt.

50 – 75 percentile (305-310)

A score within the 50-75 band is deemed a good attempt, and you will be eligible to get into almost all programs of your choice.

More than 75 percentile (310+)

This is considered to be the GRE score range for top universities, and scoring more than 310 will help you get scholarship opportunities too.

For a rough idea, the 90-percentile score is around 324, and anything above this will put you among the crème de la crème of applicants.

Now, if your score falls into the first two buckets, you have two paths ahead of you; either you retake the GRE, or you look into universities where the GRE doesn’t play a major role in deciding admissions. Let’s take a look at each of these in a little more detail.

Retake the GRE

Look into your choice of program and university. If you want to pursue a masters in engineering from a top school, there is a high chance that your GRE score will be an important factor. And having a lower score might give the impression that you aren’t competent enough to take up this major. So if your choice of program requires you to have high scores, then the best option for you would be to retake the GRE and aim to do better.

If you’ve chosen this path, then here are some tips to help you score higher in your next attempt!

Reflect on your previous performance and see which areas you can improve in.
If you weren’t able to do well in the verbal section, practice reading. It will help build your speed and vocabulary.
If you scored less in the quant section, focus on your fundamentals and commit to rigorous practice.
Do full-length practice tests. They will help you create your very own test day strategy and aid you in scoring better. If extensive practice is what you lack, try our GRE Test Series pack that has 8 full length tests and 1900+ practice questions.
Get professional support! Look into Jamboree’s tried and tested GRE study plan to score 325+ in two months.

Take admission with your current score

Universities look at a bunch of factors before offering you admission, and your GRE score is only one of those factors. In fact, some universities give so much importance to the rest of your profile that they straight up tell you that the GRE is optional. Having the score on these applications doesn’t hurt, unless you’ve scored less, then it’s better to omit it altogether.

We at Jamboree have some of the best universities across the world as partners. And how does this benefit you? Application fee waivers, faster acceptance, higher scholarships, and a smooth application process. Say your chosen university requires GRE scores, but yours aren’t the best, we can personally vouch for your profile and help you get admission in your dream university.

Here are some of our partner universities:

USA

Kent State University
New York Institute of Technology
RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology)
Texas A & M Corpus Christi
University of Massachusetts
UT Arlington
SUNY Albany

Canada

Northeastern university Vancouver
Dalhousie University
Lakehead University
University of Windsor

Ireland

University College Dublin
Trinity college Dublin
Dublin Institute of Technology

Kings College London
Kingston University
Newcastle University
Leeds Beckett
Coventry University
Cardiff university

These are but a handful of universities, for the full list make sure to check out our tie ups page. With one component gone from the lot, now it’s even more crucial to strengthen the rest of your profile. This could include your Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, Extracurricular Activities, Digital Footprint, and other admission Essays. At Jamboree, we have helped thousands of students get into the best possible universities, regardless of their GRE score. Reach out to our counsellors for a free one-on-one session to find out how to go about enhancing your profile for these top universities.

How to justify BTech backlogs while applying for MS in the US?

October 23, 2020 / Likitha Namireddy / 0 Comments

Decided to study abroad but are backlogs holding you back? This is quite a common situation and trust us, you aren’t doomed. Whether you had a personal reason such as health or family commitments that caused you to miss an exam, or you simply couldn’t measure up to it in performance, backlogs don’t necessarily mean that you are poor in academics. There could be a ton of reasons, and the best way to go about justifying them is to be upfront and honest.

In general, there are three stages that might require a proper explanation as to why your undergraduate academic performance is low; your university statement of purpose, your university admission interview, and your student visa interview. So, let’s go about this, one by one, and see how you can spin your backlogs to your advantage.

The Statement of Purpose

The first step here is to choose whether you want to talk about your backlogs in your SOP or not. Ask yourself if including an explanation strengthens your application, or weakens it? And if you have nothing good to say about your backlogs, the best course of action would be to omit those facts and focus on other aspects.

However, if you believe that your backlogs have a good reason and including them paints you in a better light, by all means, mention them in your SOP.

Talk about why you have them, and why in those specific topics. Did you miss an exam? Did you not have a teacher for a subject? Did you try your best but the topic just wouldn’t interest you? A story that expresses your determination, perseverance, and hard work will hold more value than the certificate that says you didn’t clear a couple of subjects.

The College and Visa Interview

Unlike the SOP, if you’re asked about your backlogs in one of your interviews, you won’t be able to avoid it. So, if you’ve decided to do away with talking about them in the statement, know that you’ll still need a proper explanation to give in the interviews. Now the question is, how do you convince your interviewers that your backlogs don’t define you?

– Honesty is really the best policy

If you have backlogs, admit to them. They already have your scorecards, and even if they don’t, all it takes is one email to your university. So, denying them only works against you. Instead, if you can positively talk about your backlogs, you might have a chance to turn things around. You can say that you tried your best but couldn’t clear them, and you tried multiple times as well. Show proof of the initiatives you took towards mending them, whether in the form of repeated courses, alternative courses, or other activities.

– Show that you are serious about academics

Backlogs signify one thing; that you didn’t perform academically in a particular subject. Unfortunately, this can give off an idea that you aren’t serious about your studies. And your job is to prove them wrong. One way you can do this is by getting exceptional scores in tests like the GMAT, GRE or IELTS. You can also mention other college subjects and how you performed well in those, more on this is given below.

– Does it relate to your major?

Another reason that you could use is the classic, “I couldn’t find any interest in the subject even though I tried really hard.”

If you’re looking to apply for a computer science major, and have great grades in your programming courses, you’re good to go. Having backlogs in electrical or mechanical subjects doesn’t do you much harm unless you’re looking for a specialization in them with your CS major. So do your research beforehand on the subjects that your chosen university offers and explain to them how your backlogs will not affect your future performance. But what if your backlogs relate to your major?

– Projects and Trainings

What’s done, is done! It’s not the best plan to go back to college and spend more years redoing your subjects. Instead, you could focus on developing practical skills in your field of interest through projects or external training. There usually is a significant break between when you submit your application and when you join the college, so use this time wisely and focus on building your credibility.

– Exceptional Extracurriculars

Universities abroad don’t just look at your grades, they focus on your entire profile. This includes your extracurricular and co-curricular activities as well. Today’s world needs leaders and innovative thinkers, so if your term in the student government or your participation in the debate club has helped you pick up these good talents, be sure to talk about them. Try to show the panel that you are a worthy candidate and that you will add great value to the university.

Backlogs aren’t the end of the world, and universities understands that as well. That’s why they consider applications instead of straight-up rejecting them. Moreover, there are always ways you can spin them into a positive tone, especially in your SOPs. So, if you need help drafting the best statements or acing your standardized tests, reach out to our counsellors today!

All about PhD at London Business School!

October 15, 2020 / Likitha Namireddy / 0 Comments

London is said to have the largest number of billionaires in the world! And quite a few of these people are legacies of the famous London Business School.

The globally recognized B-school provides top-notch MBA programs. In fact, the London Business School ranking is almost always among the top 5 in the world, and it recently bagged first place in the Forbes rankings for 2021. However, LBS isn’t only about MBAs though. This triple-accredited college also offers world-class masters and PhD programs that are widely sought out, with its masters in finance program ranked number one in the world by Financial Times. But that’s an article for another day, so let’s keep our discussion to the London Business School PhD programs.

First, why pursue a PhD? Is it better than an MBA? Traditionally, an MBA is a path to develop your professional skills and climb up the corporate ladder, or even better, to build your own company. A PhD, on the other hand, is a more academic degree. PhD holders have an added advantage in switching between industry and academia and are often involved in both.

At LSB, you will learn to think like a scholar and research with top faculty on relevant real-world problems. The school provides excellent funding, infrastructural support, professional expertise and work opportunities. LSB’s rigorous coursework helps groom students into top business researchers and helps them move on to intellectually rewarding careers. Moreover, all students that make it into the PhD program are offered free tuition, a London business school PhD stipend of £23,500 and other opportunities for monetary awards like TAships. So, if you aim to pursue a PhD from LSB, the first step is to figure out where your interest lies. Here are the seven renowned PhD programs offered, take your pick!

What is the acceptance rate for London business School?

Have you taken the GMAT before?

1. Accounting PhD programme

For the first two years, you will undergo rigorous training in the form of classes and workshops. The focus of the accounting program will be on economics, corporate finance, governance, private equity, venture capital and econometric methods. Towards the later years, you will be focusing completely on your dissertation and can attend seminars, conventions or even travel to relevant countries to perform your research.

Average starting salaries in academia: $150,000

Duration: 5-6 Years

Application Deadline: January 8, 2022, for the Batch of September 2023

2. Economics PhD Programme

You will need to take 6 economics courses during the first year of your PhD, these courses will include microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics. You can also pursue specialized courses from other B-schools like London School of Economics and University College London if they are relevant to your research. Moreover, you get access to international conferences to learn and gain experience from.

Duration: 5-6 Years